Reading FC sign Finnish goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola

Finnish goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola has joined Reading on a two-year deal.

The 29-year-old completed his switch from South African side Ajax Cape Town on Monday, July 11.

Royals signed the Finnish international for an undisclosed fee and he will fly out to Holland this week to meet up with his new teammates during pre-season training.

After completing the move Jaakkola told the club website: "It feels great, it's nice to be back in Europe and back in the UK, I'm just excited and eager to get back to work."

He added: "I know Ali [Al-Habsi] and I have seen him playing for Wigan in the Premier League, he's a great goalkeeper and I'm just trying my best to push him, push myself and fight for the number one jersey."

The towering keeper began his career in Finland before joining Italian side Siena in 2006, he went on to enjoy short stints at Slavia Prague and Kilmarnock.

He then joined Ajax Cape Town in 2013 and according a statement on the club website he has been "the ever-steady rock in goal over the past three seasons".

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Jaakkola was nominated for Premier Soccer League's Goalkeeper of the Season Award two years running and was described as "instrumental" in 2015 when he helped his side to the final of the Nedbank Cup and the MTN8 trophy.